The Breakfast Club: INTERVIEW – Earthquake On The Joke Telling Business, Stand-Up Longevity, Dave Chappelle + More

Podcast: The Breakfast Club (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: October 1, 2025
Host(s): DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Guest: Earthquake

Episode Overview

This lively episode features stand-up comedy veteran Earthquake, exploring the heart and hustle of the joke-telling business. The wide-ranging conversation covers stand-up longevity in a changing entertainment industry, Earthquake’s philosophy on being funny, his friendships with major stars (including Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart), his upcoming sitcom, and reflections on personal transformation and relationships. With trademark humor, Earthquake offers lessons on comedy, loyalty, authenticity, and success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Earthquake’s Recent Marriage and Personal Growth

• Earthquake’s wedding and why he chose to finally settle down

  • Wanted a big, memorable wedding (“it was my day”), emphasizing long-term partnership over serial dating.
  • Quote: “I've always believed in quality over quantity. Only reason I had quantity, because I didn't have quality.” (04:00)
  • Believes his professional success is built on finding the right partner.
    • Quote: “I was never gonna get the success that I got right now until I found her.” (03:52)

• Advice to listeners:

  • Don’t settle for “Ms. Right Now”—seek quality connections and the right foundation.

The Joke-Telling Business: Stand-Up Comedy According to Earthquake

• New Comedy Special: “Joke Telling Business”

  • Released on Netflix, focused on the core craft of making people laugh, not just delivering commentary or chasing trends.
  • Earthquake’s comedic philosophy:
    • “If you're gonna say you're a comedian and fly that banner, be funny… It's time to be funny.” (05:29)
    • Calls for comedians to “renew their licenses,” constantly proving themselves by continuing to make people laugh.
      • Quote: “Comedians need to get their license renewed. Say you funny.” (05:45)

• Difference between being funny and being a professional

  • Consistency and updating material are keys to professional longevity.
  • Stresses importance of staying “close to the people” for relatable material:
    • Quote: “The shepherd has always must smell like the sheep.” (07:23)
    • Continues performing in everyday places to stay relevant and connected.

• Internet vs. Club Comics

  • While not dismissive of internet comedians, Earthquake insists on the irreplaceable value of live performance:
    • “You cannot escape from hitting that stage, getting on there, putting that work in.” (07:05)

• On offering feedback to other comics:

  • He doesn’t tell others they aren’t funny; comedy is subjective and everyone has off nights.
    • “You pray to God all of them (who don’t find you funny) don't show up that night.” (08:15)

• Keeping material original:

  • He doesn’t listen to other comics’ sets to avoid unconsciously recycling jokes.
    • “I don't physically write. I mentally write. So to keep my jokes pure, I don't listen to other comics.” (08:33)

• Growth in other comics:

  • Earthquake shouts out Jess Hilarious and DC Young Fly for their hard work and growth.
    • “They work at it.” (09:18)

The Art & Evolution of Stand-Up

• Storytelling and joke structure

  • Earthquake prefers quick punchlines over lengthy stories, believing attention spans—especially in Black audiences—demand it.
    • “Black people are impatient—if you go too long, the boos come out.” (09:55)
  • Jokes should be accessible, so someone can come in at any moment and enjoy the show.

• Relatability as the essence of comedy

  • Comedy comes from authentic experience that the audience can connect with.
    • “Relatability is the number one essential of being a comedian.” (18:35)

• On legend status and “grandfathering”

  • Some, like Eddie Murphy, are exceptions, having consciously retired from stand-up; others shouldn’t get passes if they’re not telling jokes anymore.
    • Quote: “You are what you are, not what you say you are. ... I'm in the joke-telling business.” (16:41)

• New media and platforms

  • Diversifying is good, but those who claim to be stand-up comics must continue live performing:
    • “If you're a singer, you must sing. ... If you're a boxer, you gotta fight.” (17:19)

Success Stories and Industry Transitions

• Dave Chappelle’s influence and cosign

  • Earthquake credits Chappelle for boosting his visibility (noting they go way back—Earthquake once hired Dave for gigs).
    • Quote: “I was always indebted to Dave because I hired him to come to my club when he wasn't Dave.” (25:45)

• Mentoring and giving back

  • Owned his own comedy club; gave stage to now-famous acts like Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and Chris Rock.
  • Sees his work as part of a larger legacy.

• Upcoming sitcom “Steel Quake” (with Bill Burr as co-producer)

  • Premise: Earthquake, disillusioned by Hollywood, returns to D.C. to reopen his old comedy club, mixing fiction and real-life inspiration.
    • Offers opportunities for young, up-and-coming comedians to shine.
    • Quote: “I bring other comedians on, they, you know, come through and people that can play himself in my fictitious world…” (30:32)

• Admiration for success of others in comedy

  • Expresses genuine excitement for the rise of peers, stresses importance of celebrating their wins as proof that success is possible.
    • Quote: “You really salute them and you cheer for them, because that means it's possible. ... I never had envy.” (35:13)

Personal Philosophy and Business Lessons

• Relationship building and knowing the right partner

  • Met his wife years before rekindling during the pandemic; credits her for support and accountability.
    • “She always believed in me. ... Made a difference in my life.” (36:40)

• Advice on loyalty and running your business

  • Warns young comedians: Loyalty should not outweigh your best interests; reevaluate relationships regularly.
    • Quote (on Jamie Foxx’s method): “Every year he sits down ... and reevaluates everybody in their life, business wise.” (38:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On relationship and success:
  “I was never gonna get the success that I got right now until I found her.” (03:52)

• On the philosophy of stand-up:
  “If you're going to say you're a comedian and fly that banner, be funny.” (05:29)
  “The shepherd has always must smell like the sheep.” (07:23)

• On stand-up longevity:
  “Comedians need to get their license renewed. Say you funny.” (05:45)

• On old legends:
  “You are what you are, not what you say you are.” (16:41)

• On relatability:
  “Relatability is the number one essential of being a comedian.” (18:35)

• On loyalty and growth:
  “Loyalty doesn't mean that they believe in you. And loyalty, as you get closer to your goals, get compromised.” (38:24)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:35] – Earthquake enters; wedding & personal life discussion
• [05:29] – New special “Joke Telling Business” & the need for comedians to renew licenses
• [07:23] – The importance of staying “with the people” for comedy relatability
• [09:43] – Long-form stand-up vs. punchy style, audience engagement insights
• [12:13] – Material in the new special: addressing substance abuse in white communities, drawing social contrasts
• [14:21] – Shooting the new special while sick (“my Michael Jordan flu game”)
• [16:41] – Grandfathered comedians vs. working comics, the job of a stand-up
• [18:35] – Critique on Kevin Hart, relatability, and writing
• [24:24] – On comedy’s social role: “medicine and applesauce” analogy
• [25:41] – Dave Chappelle’s support and Earthquake’s club legacy
• [29:42] – Sitcom announcement: premise and Bill Burr partnership
• [35:13] – Cheering other comedians’ success, importance of humility and respect
• [38:24] – Business advice: evaluating loyalty and partnerships

Episode’s Tone & Energy

The episode is candid, comedic, and philosophical, with Earthquake’s storytelling driving both laughter and wisdom. The hosts blend light-hearted banter and respect for Earthquake’s perspective, keeping the conversation authentic and engaging for listeners.

Takeaways

• At the core of comedy is relatability, authenticity, and the continuous pursuit of being truly funny.
• Personal relationships, especially the right life partner, are transformative both personally and professionally.
• Legacy in entertainment is as much about giving back as it is about personal acclaim.
• Constant self-assessment—in business, relationships, and creative craft—is crucial to lasting success.

For aspiring comedians and fans of stand-up, this interview is rich with humor, industry insights, and hard-earned life lessons.